The habit of packing some biltong in your suitcase as a gift for homesick friends and family in the UK will have to stop, if the British government has its way, The Star reported on Friday.

South Africans who live and work in the UK generally stock their backpacks with local favourites during their visits home and many parents send packages of South African goodies to their children, which inevitably include some biltong and dry wors.

But, UK customs want to put a stop to this. They have launched a media campaign to warn visitors that it is illegal to bring meat and animal products into the UK and that those who do get caught could be fined up to £1000 (about R14 000) or even be liable for prosecution.

â€œThey actually have ‘meat patrols’ when flights from South Africa arrive at Heathrow,” says Will Boscawen, who is helping to run the â€œIf In Doubt Leave It Out” marketing campaign for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

One reader who returned to London on the weekend, reported that the pilot advised passengers on board a flight from Cape Town that meat products must be declared at Heathrow and would be confiscated. If anyone attempted to bring the items in, they would be fined and prosecuted.